Dearly Beloved,
Jesus Christ is referred to by many names in the Bible. I believe its a reflection of the omnipresence of The Holy Spirit. The Omnipresent One simultaneously manifests itself in a multitude of guises. The One Who Cannot Be Known is known only in part because the essence of the Omnipotent One is only understood and perceived as a subjective truth to the individual beholding the goodness of the Lord.
My favored image of Jesus Christ is The Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd is ever mindful, ever watchful, ever vigilant, ever present and always faithful. A sure and present helper to all the beloved. Jesus Christ as The Good Shepherd is revealed in the Gospel of John. John writes that The Good Shepherd has come so that we may have life, and live it abundantly.
I celebrate the idea of an abundant life. I believe that the abundant life that Jesus promises is not marked by a life that is rich in the possession of things. I believe that Jesus is calling the beloved into a richer communion of relationship with God and with one another. Such an understanding of abundance seems to undermine the Calvinist capitalist ethos of a life based on hard work and acquisition.
Today the prosperity theology of TV Evangelists stand on this precept as the driving principle of the Gospel of Jesus. Empowering the individual with a richness of material things will enable them to confer blessings upon others. I am uneasy about this definition of an abundant life. I think it panders to my selfishness and feeds my sense of radical entitlement at the expense of connected community and individual responsibility.
Jesus Christ is referred to by many names in the Bible. I believe its a reflection of the omnipresence of The Holy Spirit. The Omnipresent One simultaneously manifests itself in a multitude of guises. The One Who Cannot Be Known is known only in part because the essence of the Omnipotent One is only understood and perceived as a subjective truth to the individual beholding the goodness of the Lord.
My favored image of Jesus Christ is The Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd is ever mindful, ever watchful, ever vigilant, ever present and always faithful. A sure and present helper to all the beloved. Jesus Christ as The Good Shepherd is revealed in the Gospel of John. John writes that The Good Shepherd has come so that we may have life, and live it abundantly.
I celebrate the idea of an abundant life. I believe that the abundant life that Jesus promises is not marked by a life that is rich in the possession of things. I believe that Jesus is calling the beloved into a richer communion of relationship with God and with one another. Such an understanding of abundance seems to undermine the Calvinist capitalist ethos of a life based on hard work and acquisition.
Today the prosperity theology of TV Evangelists stand on this precept as the driving principle of the Gospel of Jesus. Empowering the individual with a richness of material things will enable them to confer blessings upon others. I am uneasy about this definition of an abundant life. I think it panders to my selfishness and feeds my sense of radical entitlement at the expense of connected community and individual responsibility.
I believe the abundant life Jesus asks us to live is a life marked by the richness of wholesome relationships. An abundant life honors the sacredness of relationships. It abhors exploitation and greed. Its principle aim to affirm spiritual wellness. Its work seeks to build and maintain relationships by fortfying the foundations of trust.
The sacramental life that Jesus calls us to is based on service to one another. It is found in the everyday common transactions of human relations. Our experience of God is found in the earthly transactions when brothers and sisters offer a willing hand, an eager ear and an open heart to fellow human beings.
I heard a Bishop once say to love wastefully. I take this wisdom to mean to be fearless in your witness by casting your love upon others expecting nothing in return other then to connect with another in the unity of unconditional love. Such richness is a treasure that moths cannot eat nor rust defile. Investing time, talents and being present for others is the joyous experience of a sacramental life. It is the perfect return of a life lived in rich abundance.
I heard a Bishop once say to love wastefully. I take this wisdom to mean to be fearless in your witness by casting your love upon others expecting nothing in return other then to connect with another in the unity of unconditional love. Such richness is a treasure that moths cannot eat nor rust defile. Investing time, talents and being present for others is the joyous experience of a sacramental life. It is the perfect return of a life lived in rich abundance.
The Good Shepherd calls for the lost and found to gather as one. Led by love the spiritual wellness of all the beloved are affirmed and celebrated in the unity of this Holy Spirit.
Selah
Peace and prayers to all the beloved,
Selah
Peace and prayers to all the beloved,
You Tube Music Video: Lead Zeppelin, Stairway to Heaven
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